IN LIGHT OF AUSTERITY MEASURES

Public safety still main priority

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The Department of Public Safety and its divisions have been facing their own struggles as a result of the recent government-wide austerity measures the Torres administration has implemented, but DPS is determined about keeping public safety a priority, according to DPS spokesperson Adrian Pangelinan.

In a brief phone interview, Pangelinan said that, although DPS is facing its own struggles with the austerity measures, like all government entities, DPS is still prioritizing public safety and believes it’s just a matter of scheduling.

Pangelinan explained that DPS, being a government entity, is also affected by the recently implemented work hour cuts and that goes for its divisions like the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Criminal Investigative Bureau, the Drug Enforcement Taskforce, etc.

That does not mean that officers will be pulled out from patrolling the streets, detectives will stop doing sting operations, BMV will stop issuing licenses, CIB officers will drop cold case investigation, etc., Pangelinan said.

This just means DPS has to ensure that the 72-hour work schedule is strictly adhered to. “If an officer has a shift to cover but has already reached the 72-hours, another officer will take on that shift who has not reached their 72-hours yet,” he said.

The DPS central office in Susupe will be closed every government payday Friday, in accordance to the work hour cuts.

Kimberly Bautista Esmores | Reporter
Kimberly Bautista Esmores has covered a wide range of news beats, including the community, housing, crime, and more. She now covers sports for the Saipan Tribune. Contact her at kimberly_bautista@saipantribune.com.
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